“They’re all the real No. 24s on their own team,” Mathews said. “On the Chargers, I’m the real No. 24.”

Mathews wore No. 21 at Fresno State, but changed to 24 when he arrived at San Diego.

“(LaDainian Tomlinson) was No. 21, so I had to change my number,” he said. “I’m sure he wouldn’t have minded if I wore it, though. But that’s L.T.’s number. I wanted to make my own brand.”

Numbers often become a part of a player’s brand or identity, especially for superstars in their respective sports. Michael Jordan is 23, even though he also wore 45. Jerry Rice’s No. 80 San Francisco 49ers jersey is a classic.

Besides serving as a player’s brand, numbers often carry a story behind it and can represent something they’ve carried since childhood, the number of a player they admired or simply a special number. Or it could mean nothing at all.

“It’s my first year wearing 24 and I made it to the Pro Bowl,” said Joseph, who switched from 22 when he left the Cincinnati Bengals after five seasons and joined the Texans. “I wouldn’t say it’s my lucky number, but it’s working for me.”

Bailey, on the other hand, is making his 11th Pro Bowl and has worn 24 since joining the NFL 13 years ago. He wore No. 4 at Georgia. Bailey acknowledges having so many 24s may create some confusion with fans, but not with the coaches or players.

“We all know each other and we’re all going to represent the number real well,” he said.